My Top 5 Skincare Ingredients (with product recs!)
This is such a fun post to write because in the last several years I have become OBSESSED with skincare. I love learning about all the different ingredients and the powerful things they can do for skin. I also have fun buying different products and trying them out to see which ones work the best for me, and which new staples I will discover. If I’m being totally honest, I do splurge on skincare. It’s one of those things I have convinced myself is a priority, however, I am constantly trying to stream-line my routine and find more economical ways to maintain it while still getting the results I expect. After all the experimentation I have done so far, I have found five top ingredients I really love and that work well for me. I’ll share those with you, a little about what they do, and then a splurge and a save option to make your search easier. Please keep in mind that these recommendations and outcomes are based on my personal experiences using these products and while I hope everyone has the same wonderful experience, I know they may not. There are many good products out there so don’t be afraid to keep trying if these specific recommendations don’t do it for you!
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C was the first skincare ingredient I started with about 4 ½ years ago. In my mid-twenties I started looking into skincare and researching different ways to start prepping my skin to age gracefully as I got older. I kept reading that when you are in your early/mid-twenties, you really don’t want to start out with a big routine full of multiple ingredients because it can overwhelm your skin. You are supposed to keep it simple and focus on the basics. The two things I picked to start with? Vitamin C and an eye serum. Vitamin C became an instant staple in my bathroom drawer, and the overnight results are probably what encouraged me further down the skincare road. Vitamin C gives your skin a glow-y, healthy appearance by benefiting the collagen naturally in your skin and really tackling signs of uneven pigmentation. I do find that if you use it every day, or even every other day, it can be too much. Start small and work your way up, paying attention to what your skin is telling you. Whenever I get ready for bed, look in the mirror, and see a tired, dull or broken-out face, I reach for my vitamin C serum. I use it after washing my face, make sure to give it a couple minutes to absorb and then moisturize after. Every. Single. Time. I wake up with a noticeably better complexion and who doesn’t want that kind of reassurance in their life?
Save: Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum ($34) (Amazon Link)
Splurge: 100% Pure Vitamin C Serum ($58) (100%Pure Website) No Amazon link available!
2. Hyaluronic Acid
This ingredient seemed very much out of my league me in the beginning because it sounds intimidating, like something you would only be able to use if you had made an “A” in chemistry (which I absolutely did not!). However, this ingredient is not intimidating at all, but actually rather magical. Hyaluronic acid is something your skin naturally has in it, and the intention behind using it in skincare is to help retain moisture without making your skin oily. I like using it after washing my face, while my face is still a little damp, so it can trap all the moisture in my skin. I typically give it a couple minutes to sink in before finishing off with moisturizer and going to bed. I really like how this keeps my skin well hydrated, healthy looking and really prevents dryness (yes, I live in Houston BUT that means anytime the air has less than 80% humidity in it I can feel my skin starting to get confused and asking for help). In my opinion, using hyaluronic acid has really made a difference in how consistently hydrated my skin appears, no matter the weather outside or AC situation inside.
Save: Three Ships Dew Drops Mushroom Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C Serum ($38) (Amazon Link)
Splurge: OSEA Hyaluronic Sea Serum ($88) (Amazon Link)
3. Peptides
Peptides are a fun ingredient. Just the name alone sounds fun, like something peppy (get it?) and energetic. Well, this is also kind of what they do for your skin, they keep it looking energetic and firm. Peptides are types of amino acids that help support the natural collagen in your skin, helping prevent future wrinkles and other consequences of collagen breakdown as you age. This result is more subtle, you might not notice it overnight, but overtime you might be surprised that you don’t get those little wrinkles and lines others around you start getting. Sometimes peptides are an isolated ingredient and sometimes they are in there alongside other amazing things, either way they are definitely something to keep an eye out for when choosing products to try.
Save: Pai Skincare Peptides 5% ($29) (Amazon Link)
Splurge #1: OSEA Anti-Aging Sea Serum ($88) (Amazon Link)
Splurge #2: Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Serum ($78) (Amazon Link)
4. Niacinamides
This ingredient sounds fancy and made me feel like I had a real, adult skincare routine. I only started looking for this ingredient a year or two ago as I entered my late twenties (don’t get me started) but I have developed quite the passion for it. Like a lot of skincare ingredients mentioned above, it helps support the collagen already in your skin. As we age, we have very natural (while unfortunate) collagen breakdown that slowly results in winkles, fine lines, a dull appearance and sagging skin. While nothing will prevent us from aging, I like the idea of slowing time down as much as possible. Niacinamides, for me, help make my skin more glow-y (although admittedly not as quickly or directly as vitamin C) and give me some peace of mind that I am investing in future-me. Hopefully I thank myself for that one day!
Save: Kosas Revealer Skin Improving Foundation ($42) (Amazon Link) *** This foundation includes niacinamides, hyaluronic acid, peptides and other amazing ingredients so it can serve as a great 4-in-1 product to cut down on costs! ***
Splurge: OSEA Anti-Aging Sea Serum ($88) (Amazon Link)
5. Retinol
This last one is something I am sure you have heard plenty of times before, but here me out. I was really scared of this ingredient. I have very sensitive skin (made better by the clean beauty switch) but I am still cautious about using things that come with a lot of additional warnings. Retinol is potent, helpful, but also must be used with caution. Make sure to wear sunscreen when using, avoid long sun exposure (as much as possible), and talk to your doctor before using while pregnant. Also be sure to use it sparingly, infrequently and make you’re your skin is happy (that stinging sensation is NOT a good thing!). I tip-toed ever so slowly into retinol in the last year and have been pleasantly surprised at the fact there were no harsh reactions from my skin. I really try to only use it once a week right now (especially because I am on the younger end of the recommended age range) and I have been very thoughtful when choosing my products. I think this ingredient has lots of anti-aging potential as it also helps reduce wrinkles, fine lines and uneven complexions that come with aging. That being said, a lot of these other ingredients do that too, so please don’t feel like you HAVE to use retinol- but if you’re curious like I was, here are my recommendations!
Save: Three Ships Skin Hero Bakuchiol + Calendula Bio-Retinol Serum ($35) (Three Ships store) No Amazon link available!
Splurge: Graydon Fullmoon Serum ($87/30ml or $39/10ml) (Amazon Link)
I recognize that these products are not cheap, even the “save” options. There is a price to pay when you make the choice to have formulas made with non-toxic, quality ingredients and without a bunch of fillers. That being said, I totally understand that after looking at this list it might seem unattainable to have any skincare routine at all. If you really want to try something, start with just one. Investing in one clean, non-toxic, potent formula instead of multiple questionable formulas is still an amazing investment in your skincare journey (and much more cost effective)! There are also a lot of multi-tasking formulas out there that offer multiple benefits in one bottle- these are another great way to get more bang for your buck. And lastly, just know that no ingredient or serum will cure all your problems. They are tools to add into an already solid skincare routine of cleansing, moisturizing, eating well and staying hydrated. However, if you are wanting to take that routine up a notch these are some great ways to get into skincare and see what works best for you!